"Zhang Weiwei, Dad plans to take a few of your aunts and them to see you after a while. Zhang Hua, a retired teacher, was talking to his daughter on the phone while looking at the yellowed travel guide on the table. Zhang Weiwei hummed on the other end of the phone, but there was a hint of hesitation in her voice.
"Dad, I'm very busy with work here, so I may not have time to play with everyone. Zhang Weiwei explained softly, "I'm afraid that you guys won't take good care of you." ”
"It's okay, don't underestimate your dad, the leader of the outdoor club when he was young. Let's have fun on our own. Zhang Hua confidently played an official tone.
"That's... Alright then, it's just their own family—" Vivi's voice was quieter.
"Oh, your in-laws are also very warm, we must be welcome. ”
Hanging up the phone, Zhang Hua began his planning. He wanted to bring not only his three older sisters, but also their husbands and children, a total of 8 people. It was a big deal, and it was also the long-awaited reunion for him and his old friends.
"Uncle Zhang, do you really want to go to Weiwei's faraway place? I think we can have fun nearby. Brother-in-law Lao Li smoked a cigarette and said with a frown.
Zhang Hua waved his hand, "Hey, Lao Li, you don't understand." This time, we have to take advantage of our strong body and go out for a walk. Besides, let's come back from the trip and fight for Weiwei and her in-laws' family. ”
"There are so many people, and it's a lot of money. Sister Zhang Lian said with concern.
"Cost? Our pension is about to become moldy, you have to spend it when you need to! Travel, happiness is the most important thing!" Zhang Hua took out the stack of passbooks from his pocket, "Don't worry, I have mine." ”
Time passed quickly, and Zhang Hua boarded the train to his daughter's city with a large family full of expectations, full of large bags and small bags. Along the way, they talked and laughed, so lively.
"Uncle Zhang, you have prepared so many delicious foods, we can have a banquet in this carriage. The little niece Zhang Yunyun excitedly picked up a big meat bun, "Wait for Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang to try it too." ”
"Yunyun, pay attention to your image when eating. Her mother reminded softly, smiling.
The train slowly drove into the station, waiting for them, not only Zhang Weiwei, but also her in-laws.
"Uncle Zhang, Uncle Wu. Zhang Weiwei smiled, but unconsciously stood closer, "Welcome to our city." ”
Wu Qiang, the in-law, squeezed out a smile, "Welcome, welcome, the family is ready." ”
The first stop on the itinerary is the famous scenic area. Splashing in the water, climbing, taking pictures...... In the crowd, only Wu Qiang was silent, and his face was not particularly good.
In the evening, everyone eats at a luxurious restaurant. The dishes came up one after another, all of them were full of color and flavor. Everyone was in high spirits, but they didn't notice the more and more obvious gloom on Wu Qiang's face.
On the third day, everyone came to a local historic town. The antique shops and the dazzling array of snacks only had joy in Zhang Hua's eyes, and he happily ignored the increasingly heavy haze on his in-laws' faces.
Zhang Hua sighed and admired, "Hey, this sugar gourd, this taste, the taste of childhood!"
"Uncle Zhang, it's also very good for you to try this. The little nephew handed over a skewer of grilled fish.
Laughter, admiration, shouting...... Everything seemed to be harmonious, but no one noticed that the clouds were quietly gathering on Wu Qiang's face. And this will be a precursor to the coming storm.
On the morning of the fourth day, the sun shone softly on the bed of Zhang Hua and his relatives through the hotel curtains. However, as the night wore on, the staggering string of numbers on the previous night's restaurant bill was about to explode in the spacious breakfast room like a ticking time bomb.
"The red wine you ordered last night actually cost more than a thousand bottles!" Wu Qiang was holding the bun, but his eyes were locked on Zhang Hua, "Uncle Zhang, I know you enjoy it, but this consumption level is ......"
Zhang Hua still maintained his chic expression, "Wu Qiang, let's come out to play, isn't it just to have fun! ”
"Little money?" Wu Qiang's tone carried a hint of anger, "Uncle Zhang, I didn't mean that, you see ...... of us"
"Uncle Wu, I heard Weiwei say that your business is also quite smooth, so you won't be angry about this little thing. Zhang Weiwei's aunt Zhang Ju interjected.
The controversy escalated in the breakfast room, and the originally warm atmosphere began to become tense.
At noon, Zhang Hua suggested that the whole family go to a luxury seafood restaurant for dinner. A table of seafood was presented, but Wu Qiang's face became more and more ugly.
"Uncle Zhang, today's consumption ......" Wu Qiang wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Zhang Hua.
"Wu Qiang, I understand your principle of saving. But this time I came out to be happy, isn't it just to make everyone happy?" Zhang Hua smiled kindly.
The laughter of the children and the cheers of the adults covered up the increasingly solemn worry between Zhang Weiwei's brows.
After lunch, Zhang Hua proposed to go shopping. When relatives were picking up souvenirs, they inadvertently added some expensive watches and jewelry.
"All of this has to be wrapped. Zhang Huaxin came with his hand, without any scruples about the price, "Go back and give it to relatives who don't meet often." ”
Wu Qiang quietly grabbed Zhang Hua, "Uncle Zhang, this is really too extravagant." ”
Zhang Hua smiled and waved his hand, "Don't worry, Wu Qiang, this little heart is not enough to worry about." ”
Throughout the afternoon, Zhang Hua was like a tireless Santa Claus, piling up a mountain of gifts. And Wu Qiang, the little assistant of Santa Claus who is in charge of payment, is under increasing pressure in his heart.
As night fell, Zhang Hua arranged a yacht trip. "Let's take a look at the beauty of our harbor. Zhang Hua excitedly introduced the surrounding scenery.
From beginning to end, Lao Wu stood silently at the stern of the boat, with worry and dissatisfaction hidden in his eyes. Zhang Weiwei walked up to him and asked cautiously, "In-laws, I see that you are not very happy today, do you have something on your mind?"
"Vivi, I'm not stingy, it's just that this kind of expense is too stressful for me. Wu Qiang seemed to confide in his heart.
Zhang Weiwei comforted: "Don't worry, I'll tell my father." ”
After the lavish dinner, everyone walked back to the hotel. Only Wu Qiang, as if there were countless burdens on his shoulders, his steps were heavy.
Zhang Hua is undoubtedly the soul of this trip, but Wu Qiang's silence hints at the unknown pressures and conflicts behind this carnival.
On the fifth day, before the sun had completely climbed into the sky, Wu Qiang got up early and walked into the lobby of the hotel alone. He frowned, staring solemnly at the folded pile of bills in his hand.
"It's been this sad face again early in the morning, what's going on?" Zhang Hua patted him on the shoulder, with a faint smile in his tone.
Wu Qiang couldn't be silent any longer, he looked up at Zhang Hua, his eyes were full of doubts, "Uncle Zhang, look at these bills, we've spent almost 40,000 yuan in a few days!"
"Ah, it's expensive. Zhang Hua took the bill unhurriedly, but his brows did not move at all, "However, everyone is happy!"
"Happy?!" Wu Qiang's voice raised, "Uncle Zhang, I understand that you want to give everyone a happy memory, but happiness is not equal to bottomless squandering!"
"Huh, Wu Qiang, I'm really a little distressed when you calculate it like this. Zhang Hua thought for a moment and seemed to realize the seriousness of the matter.
"Distressed?Uncle Zhang, who will take this responsibility?Is I the only one?" Wu Qiang was almost desperate, he felt overwhelmed by the piling up expenses.
Zhang Hua was silent for a moment, and finally became a little uneasy, "Wu Qiang, you mean ......?"
"Yes, Uncle Zhang, it's not that I don't want to spend money, but this can't be an excuse to burden everyone. Wu Qiang's tone began to become firm.
At this moment, Zhang Weiwei and other relatives walked in one after another, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Zhang Weiwei looked at the bill in her hand, her face became solemn, "Dad, what Uncle Wu said is not unreasonable, should we think about this problem?"
"Yes, Uncle Zhang, we are all ordinary people, so this is too much. Sister Zhang Ju also nodded yes.
The noisy atmosphere in the room instantly fell silent, and everyone's faces were embarrassed and worried that could not be concealed.
"Do you think so too?" Seeing this, Zhang Hua's tone carried a hint of heaviness, "I...... I just want to make everyone happy. ”
"We know, Uncle Zhang. Zhang Weiwei looked at her father, her eyes full of complexity, "But everyone has a family, and they have to consider practical issues." We can't afford to leave a burden for the future for the sake of momentary pleasure. ”
Zhang Hua stood there, speechless for a long time. When he looked at the worried and expectant faces, he finally realized that his kindness might really bring a burden to everyone.
A small conflict, due to the tension between affection, responsibility and reality, has become more and more a big debate. And this debate is a realistic portrayal of the reality that every family may face.
In the silent hotel room, Zhang Hua's eyes wandered among the faces of expectation and worry. After a long silence, he took a deep breath and slowly pulled out a bank card from his wallet, which was old and showed some slight scratches.
"It's all my fault. Zhang Hua's somewhat apologetic voice sounded low, "I wanted to bring happiness to everyone, but I actually caused trouble to everyone." ”
Everyone's eyes were focused on the ordinary bank card, which was the pension accumulated by Zhang Hua for many years of teaching.
"Uncle Zhang, how can this be embarrassing?" Zhang Ju was hesitant, and his face was embarrassed.
"Wu Qiang, you young people get up so early in the morning. Zhang Hua quipped, trying to ease the atmosphere, "This card has all my pension." Our expenses this time are mine. ”
Wu Qiang held the card handed by Zhang Hua, with indescribable emotions in his eyes, "Uncle Zhang, this really can't." ”
"Hey, I've lived all these years, and the money won't go to the coffin. Zhang Huahan smiled, "It's my turn to be the east, don't rob me." ”
Aunt Zhang Ju patted Zhang Hua on the shoulder, "Brother, we have received this heart." But next time we go out, we still have to do what we can. ”
"Listen, does this mean that you will go to play together next time?" Zhang Hua blinked, trying to make the atmosphere relaxed.
Laughter rippled through the room, and those tense nerves were finally relaxed. Not only the material burden was untied, but more importantly, the spiritual shackles were also untied.
Looking at the harmonious smile of the family, the burden on Zhang Hua's heart seemed to be reduced a lot.
"It's good to be happy. He whispered, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, "Isn't it enough for everyone to gather firewood and have a high flame and everyone to be happy?"
As night falls, the moonlight shines on everyone's faces, reflecting tranquility and warmth. And Zhang Hua's retirement life has also been given a new meaning because of this extraordinary trip.
"Happiness is not because you have more, but because you care less. Right?" Zhang Hua looked down at his family, a hint of thought in his smile.